RismadarVoice Reporters
February 8, 2026
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the total cancellation of the weekly Monday sit-at-home across the South-East, with effect from February 9, 2026.
The directive was disclosed by the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in a statement issued on Sunday, in which he said the order came directly from IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The sit-at-home was first declared in August 2021 as a protest against Kanu’s arrest, rendition to Nigeria and subsequent incarceration. Since then, economic and social activities in the region have routinely been disrupted on Mondays, with markets, schools, banks and offices shut.
According to Powerful, the latest directive makes it clear that there is no longer any justification for residents to remain indoors on Mondays, stressing that normal activities must resume immediately.
“The IPOB, under the supreme leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, hereby announces to the entire world that the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East is officially and permanently cancelled with effect from tomorrow, Monday, February 9, 2026,” the statement read.
Powerful said Kanu took the decision to ensure that children return to school and that people are able to conduct their lawful businesses without fear or intimidation.
He added that Kanu has made it clear that
vbany individual or group attempting to enforce sit-at-home orders going forward is acting against his explicit directive.
“Kanu has made it abundantly clear that anyone enforcing sit-at-home from this moment forward is acting against his direct command,” the statement said, describing such individuals as enemies of the people and the Biafran cause.
The group also warned against what it described as attempts by unidentified persons to instil fear, stage attacks or intimidate residents into staying indoors under false pretences.
IPOB urged residents of the South-East to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, while calling on traders, workers and students to resume normal activities from Monday.
The statement, however, cautioned state governments against intimidating traders who may choose to stay at home voluntarily, warning that governors have no right to demolish markets or forcibly shut down businesses.
Specifically, the group warned Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, and other governors against alleged threats of demolition or forced market closures.
IPOB further stated that any renovation or reconstruction of markets requiring temporary relocation must be carried out with the consent of all stakeholders, and with adequate alternative trading locations provided.
Calling for unity among people of the South-East, the group said past crises were often fuelled by fear and division, urging residents not to allow such situations to reoccur.
“We therefore call on all our people across the South-East to come out, open their shops, go to work and send their children to school without fear,” the statement concluded.
